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SAVE $30: Walmart has the Apple Pencil Pro on sale for $99, down from its usual $129 price tag — a $30 discount on Apple's newest, most advanced iPad stylus.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $99 at Walmart
$129 Save $30 Get Deal

This latest Apple deal at Walmart is hard to ignore if you’ve been looking to level up your iPad creativity. As of Aug. 1, Walmart has knocked $30 off the Apple Pencil Pro, bringing the price down to just $99. Normally $129, this is one of the best early discounts we’ve seen on Apple’s most powerful stylus yet.

The latest Apple Pencil Pro isn’t just a minor upgrade. It’s packed with intuitive tools designed to make digital art, note-taking, and precision work feel more natural than ever. For instance, it introduces new gestures like Squeeze and Barrel Roll, giving you quick access to brushes, tools, and stroke adjustments without digging through menus. Haptic feedback adds a subtle tactile response when snapping shapes or aligning elements, making your workflow smoother and more satisfying.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals this week: MacBooks, AirPods, and more

For artists and power users, pixel-perfect precision, tilt and pressure sensitivity, and low latency ensure every stroke feels exactly how you intend it. Hover functionality on supported iPad Pro and iPad Air models (M2 and newer) lets you preview your marks before you commit, making it perfect for detailed sketching or photo retouching. 

And if you’ve ever misplaced a stylus, support from the Find My feature should help save you from the hunt.

The Apple Pencil Pro even attaches magnetically to compatible iPads for pairing and charging, keeping your setup clean and ready to go. Just note that it only works with the latest iPad Pro (M4) and iPad Air (M2 and M3) models, so double-check compatibility before buying.

If you’re still browsing for upgrades, you can check out our 2025 roundup of the 10 best tablets that are worth your money. And if you’re all-in on the Apple ecosystem, don’t miss our weekly list of top Apple deals — featuring fresh discounts on iPads, MacBooks, and more.

SAVE $99: Amazon is offering Apple’s AirPods Max for $449.99 (regularly $549), available in midnight, blue, orange, and starlight.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $449.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $99.01 Get Deal

Now might finally be the time to jumy on Apple’s luxury over-ear headphones. As of Aug. 1, Apple AirPods Max are marked down to $449.99 on Amazon, giving you a cool $100 off their usual $549 price tag. The deal applies to multiple colour options, including midnight, blue, orange, and starlight.

According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, that's the best price we've seen in weeks.

SEE ALSO: Hurry! Apple AirPods 4 are back under $100 on Amazon.

Apple designed the AirPods Max to take your listening sessions to a new level. Their custom-built dynamic driver and computational audio powered by the Apple H1 chip deliver high-fidelity sound with clarity and depth that rivals many studio-grade headphones. Combine that with pro-level Active Noise Cancellation that cuts out twice as much background noise as earlier AirPods models, and you’ve got an experience that’s all about focus and immersion.

We even tested them at Mashable in a dedicated AirPods Max review of its lossless audio, and declared that these are excellent all-rounder headphones.

If you need to stay aware of your surroundings, you can switch to Transparency mode for a natural mix of music and ambient sound, making it easy to chat or hear what’s going on around you without missing a beat. Personalised Spatial Audio is another standout, tailoring playback to your unique ear shape and dynamically tracking your head for a 360-degree soundscape — especially impressive with Dolby Atmos-supported content.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals this week: MacBooks, AirPods, and more

Beyond sound, Apple put serious thought into comfort. The AirPods Max feature a breathable knit-mesh canopy and plush memory foam ear cushions for a secure yet weightless feel, ideal for long listening sessions. A colour-matched Smart Case is included, and with USB-C charging, you can stay powered up with ease.

Seamless setup and automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac make these headphones as smart as they are stylish. They even pause your music the instant you take them off.

At $449.99, the AirPods Max bring Apple’s most advanced audio tech into a slightly more accessible price range. If you’ve been eyeing a pair, this Amazon deal is a great opportunity to upgrade your sound game while keeping nearly $100 in your pocket.

If you’re still shopping around, our roundup of the top 10 headphones in 2025 is a good starting point. On the off-chance you’re an Apple purist, we also have a list of the best Apple deals of the week — including bargains on iPads and MacBooks.

We love Toni Collette in creepy mode, and we love the idea of comedian and Feel Good star Mae Martin making a rare pivot to thriller. You'll get both in Netflix's Wayward, a new limited series created by and starring Martin with Ryan Scott.

In the teaser above, you'll get glimpses of a creepy facility in the woods called Tall Pines, where "troubled teens" attend under the watch of a strangely smiley founder (Collette). It's not clear what secrets this place holds, but Collette's unsettling welcome suggests you can check in anytime you like but you might never leave. It'll be up to new police officer in town Alex Dempsey (Martin) to investigate, after two students (Sydney Topliffe and Alyvia Alyn Lind) tip him off.

Martin told Netflix's Tudum blog the show is "like if you took the kids from Booksmart and put them in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Wayward hits Netflix Sept. 25.

We spend a lot of time fawning over the latest tech here at Mashable, and as much as we love nerding out over the newest Sony headphones drop, we know that's not always relatable. New tech is often expensive tech, and a nearly $500 pair of headphones is certainly not always in the budget. That's why we're here to talk about the best budget earbuds.

A pair of cheap earbuds is a compact alternative to over-the-ear headphones, but let's be clear, just because these earbuds are affordable, doesn't mean they skimp on features. Two of the best earbuds we've tested are nearly $300 — Apple AirPods Pro costs $249.95, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds come in at $299 — but we've found models for even less. You don't need to spend $300 on a pair of great earbuds; in fact, you don't even need to spend $100.

Among all the earbuds we've tested, which is an extensive list, these are the best budget earbuds.

What's considered budget?

Budget is a relative term, so for this list, we're looking at earbuds under $200, but mostly under $100. Our top pick is the EarFun Air Pro 4, which have a list price of $79.99, and have the noise cancellation of a much more expensive pair of earbuds. Going the budget route might mean making compromises, but not sacrifices. For under $100, you can still get active noise cancellation and self-charging cases.

We do include a couple of models closer to $200, which we get isn't exactly everyone's idea of budget-friendly. For those models, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds and the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, we consider them budget pairs, relatively speaking. Compared to premium options, the Bose QC earbuds offer an awfully similar experience for significantly cheaper. In the case of Apple, AirPods' entire line runs at higher price points than most of the consumer audio market. That's why we recommend the AirPods 4 both with and without ANC for folks who want to stay in the Apple ecosystem, enjoy AirPods' quality sound, but aren't quite ready to make the jump to the Pros.

Other models we've tested

The models on this list are pulled from our extensive testing here at Mashable. Our previous top pick on this list was the Apple AirPods 3; however, the AirPods 4 have replaced them, making them more expensive, plus they don't have great Android compatibility.

Another pair of headphones we considered for this list were the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds with sound by Bose. We tested these buds, and while they're pretty good for $100, they have a bad case design and just aren't that comfortable compared to other models on this list — plus, the $100 introductory price went up to $129.99.

SAVE 23%: Score Apple AirPods 4 for only $99 on Amazon, marked down from $129.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Airpods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30 Get Deal

Amazon just handed you a great reason to upgrade your earbuds. As of Aug. 1, Apple AirPods 4 are on sale for $99 on Amazon, which is 23% off the regular $129 price tag.

The AirPods 4 are Apple’s latest take on wireless listening, and they’re more than a minor tweak from previous generations. In our Mashable review of the AirPods 4, we loved them enough to declare them our new go-to daily earbuds to replace the AirPods Pro. These earbuds have been redesigned for all-day comfort, featuring a refined contour and shorter stem that helps them stay secure in your ears whether you’re commuting, working out, or just relaxing.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals this week: MacBooks, AirPods, and more

Audio quality also gets a noticeable bump thanks to Apple’s H2 chip and Personalized Spatial Audio. The latter tailors sound based on your individual ear shape, delivering an immersive, theater-like effect when you’re listening to music, streaming shows, or gaming. 

On calls, Voice Isolation technology ensures that your voice cuts through even in noisy environments, so you sound crystal clear to whoever’s on the other end. Pairing AirPods 4 with your iPhone or other Apple devices is practically instant — just pop them open near your device and tap to connect.

Siri support is smarter, too. You can simply say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to issue commands, and with Siri Interactions, you can now nod or shake your head to respond hands-free.

Battery life holds strong with up to five hours of listening on a single charge, and a total of 30 hours with the USB-C charging case, which is dust, sweat, and water-resistant. Whether you’re heading to the gym or caught in a downpour, your AirPods can keep up.

Whilst grabbing new earbuds, take a look at our other best Apple deals of the week — including MacBooks, iPads, and more. If you’re still shopping around, check out our roundup of best earbuds in 2025 from a variety of brands like Panasonic, Bose, Anker, and of course, Apple.

If you were online in the early 2000s, KiiiKiii’s aesthetic might feel eerily familiar.

The rookie K-pop girl group is channeling a distinctly Y2K internet vibe for their new single, "Dancing Alone." The first thing you see on their website is a pop-up window featuring a pixelated dolphin defining the word "anemoia," a neologism meaning "nostalgia for a time one has never known." For KiiiKiii's members — all born after 2005 — that time is the early internet: clunky homepages, flashing cursors, Craigslist garage sales, and the tender chaos of adolescent emotion once captured in blurry webcam selfies and broken HTML.

And that’s exactly the world they’re building.

To promote "Dancing Alone," KiiiKiii’s site features Friendster-style profile pages for each member and faux Craigslist listings advertising a "garage sale." Some of the items on sale? A scuffed-up, bedazzled ice-blue Game Boy Advance SP circa 2003. Old camcorders in a variety of colors. And "gently used" DVDs.

KiiiKiii turns a 2003 Game Boy into a photo frame. Credit: STARSHIP Entertainment This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The images themselves are soft flash and pixel blur, all muted tones and melancholy textures, like they were snapped on a thrifted Canon PowerShot ELPH and uploaded from a family desktop. It’s a full-on sensory portal to a time before streaming, when heartbreak lived in AIM away messages and girls uploaded mirror selfies to MySpace with glitter text and lowercase captions.

SEE ALSO: Le Sserafim on tech, style, and staying connected in a digital world

For a generation that didn’t experience Y2K firsthand, KiiiKiii’s concept doesn’t just replicate the era — it mythologizes it. This is K-pop worldbuilding at its most layered: turning early-web ephemera and analog tech into a dreamy, digital coming-of-age narrative, wrapped in a fuzzy glow of borrowed memory.

Each member’s profile feels like a love letter typed in Comic Sans. Credit: STARSHIP Entertainment It's like logging into a past you never lived. Credit: STARSHIP Entertainment

KiiiKiii’s vision taps into a much larger trend: Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s ongoing embrace of old tech and Y2K aesthetics. Raised on sleek, algorithm-driven platforms, today’s digital natives are increasingly drawn to the messiness and tactility of the early internet, a time when personalization meant editing your MySpace layout in HTML, not choosing between Instagram Story fonts. The appeal is emotional. There’s something grounding, even rebellious, in returning to the janky textures of pre-streaming digital life — flip phones, digital cameras, wired headphones, chunky plastic hardware. In a social media landscape that prizes polish and performance, retro interfaces offer something more intimate, more handmade.

Lo-fi girlhood in a digital world. Credit: STARSHIP Entertainment

Gen Z is uniquely nostalgic: A 2023 research study by GWI found that 50 percent of this generation feels wistful for media they never experienced, and 15 percent actively choose to dwell in the past over the future

Whether it’s printing out photos (a practice 43 percent of Gen Z do regularly) or crafting faux Friendster pages, these retro impulses are rooted in a search for literal and emotional texture in an age of polish and automation.

SEE ALSO: The cult and community of Labubu

K-pop’s interpretation of this cultural moment is especially potent among teen groups. Acts like NewJeans, tripleS, and now KiiiKiii aren’t just recycling early-2000s trends; they’re reclaiming and reimagining them for a new generation. Through lo-fi visuals, analog tech, and retro internet references, these groups are using Y2K aesthetics to explore identity and girlhood through a distinctly digital lens.

In a culture defined by hyperconnectivity and curated personas, the fuzzy flash of a 2000s point-and-shoot feels, paradoxically, more real than reality.

A new telescope built to to track fast-moving space objects caught a comet from beyond the solar system moving across the sky — before anyone even knew it was there. 

The NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile recently captured rare footage of the visitor known as 3I/ATLAS — only the third interstellar object discovered. What’s more impressive: The observatory recorded the video a full 10 days before the comet was officially identified by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System.

Unlike the thousands of comets that loop around the sun, this one isn’t from around here. Scientists say 3I/ATLAS was born in a completely different star system and likely got flung into the void by the gravity of a nearby planet or passing star. After drifting for perhaps hundreds of millions of years, the giant comet, which you can watch in Rubin's video below, wandered into our realm — and it's just passing through.

SEE ALSO: The Webb telescope saw a sun-like star on its deathbed. It wasn't alone. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Comets are icy, rocky objects that travel through space, often trailing long, bright tails of gas and dust as they warm up near the sun. Scientists have detected over 4,000 of them so far, but many more awaiting discovery could be lurking beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt or even in the remote Oort Cloud, the outer edge of the solar system about 50 times farther away.

Unlike Halley’s Comet and others that regularly circle the sun, 3I/ATLAS isn’t one of the locals. When it was first spotted on July 1 by the ATLAS survey telescope, it was over 400 million miles from Earth and well within the orbit of Jupiter. At the time, it was traveling at a blistering speed of about 137,000 mph. That’s far too fast to be held by the sun’s gravity, confirming that it's on a one-way route through the solar system.

Experts say it's only the third-known interstellar comet. The first, a rocky cigar-shaped thing named 'Oumuamua, zoomed by in 2017. Then came 2I/Borisov in 2019, which looked and behaved a little more like a typical comet. Now, 3I/ATLAS joins this rare club, but scientists think it may be the most ancient of all.

Based on early computer models, researchers believe 3I/ATLAS may have come from a little-known region of the Milky Way filled with old, long-lived stars. If so, it could be over 7 billion years old — nearly twice as old as our own solar system. That makes it a sort of time capsule, preserving materials from an earlier time in the galaxy.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Because it’s already releasing gas and dust as it heats up, astronomers know it’s made of ice — the hallmark of a comet — despite recent sensational headlines suggesting the object might be an alien spacecraft. Its dusty tail may become visible from Earth with a backyard telescope later this year or early in 2026.

"While there's *nothing wrong* with thinking about whether some interstellar objects could be alien technology," said Jason Wright, a Penn State astronomy and astrophysics professor, on X, "3I/ATLAS has had its coma clearly detected since July 3. It's very clearly, *unambiguously*, a comet."

Scientists are especially excited about this discovery not just because of what it is, but because of how it was found. The Rubin Observatory, while still being tested, managed to catch the comet before anyone even knew to look. That bodes well for the future. Researchers estimate Rubin could find dozens more of these interlopers in the coming decade — possibly up to 50.

Interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS offer a direct glimpse into the chemical makeup of other planetary systems. Since they formed around different stars, studying them could reveal how worlds form in other parts of the galaxy — and whether the building blocks for life travel between stars.

Right now, 3I/ATLAS is about 262 million miles from Earth. It's expected to make its closest approach to the sun in late October, then swing back out, never to return. But no need to worry: This comet will stay far from Earth, never coming closer than about 150 million miles, but leaving behind a wealth of data for astronomers to study for years to come.

It doesn't matter where you are or who you're talking to — if the conversation you're in turns to dating, it's only a matter of time before somebody says those seven little words we've all heard before: "Everyone meets on the apps these days."

But saying it doesn't make it so, and the pressure that you're putting on yourself to conform to that which isn't true could be turning you off dating altogether. After all, the apps aren't for everyone. And these great dating app expectations (app-spectations, if you will) are liable to result in feelings of low self-esteem, vulnerability, and a vicious cycle of desperation fed by perceived rejection that gets you nowhere good. Mashable asked experts for tips to shed these "app-spectations," and change your dating mindset. 

SEE ALSO: Gen Z is less comfortable with AI dating app features than millennials, survey finds Don't hate the dating game, change the way you play it

If you think using the apps is the most effective way to date, and you've begun to hate them, it stands to reason that soon you'll start hating dating altogether. But I covered in a previous article, dating apps probably don't work quite as well as you think they do. 

A rolling YouGov survey (with the latest results at the time of writing being from June 2025) found that nine percent of Brits met their current or most recent partner on a dating app. That's more than, say, through family (four percent) or through a shared hobby (also four percent), but less than ways like through mutual friends (15 percent), through work (17 percent), and in passing while out at a cafe, pub, or similar (10 percent). 

These figures indicate that the apps are certainly a significant part of the dating scene, but they are by no means the be-all and end-all of finding love. If you're beating yourself up for not finding your soulmate on Hinge, your mental wellbeing is at risk over a misconception. 

A 2024 survey by Forbes Health found that 78 percent of people felt dating apps had "emotionally, mentally, or physically exhausted" them "sometimes, often, or always". The biggest reason why? Forty percent of those surveyed said it was not being able to find a quality connection.

Yes, it can be rough out there. Even if you've been having a great time on the apps, keeping your self-esteem topped up while you swipe is a challenge. Integrative counsellor Fran Roberts tells me that she's seen it before with lots of her clients. "The daily rejection from random strangers can knock even the strongest of people," she adds, "and any insecurity you do have becomes the reason why you can't meet someone or make them stay." 

So, trying to force your way into making dating apps work for you while not having a great time is a recipe for a well-being disaster.

Therapist Shikainah Champion-Samuel says that feelings of low self-esteem can lead to a vicious swiping cycle. "Contrary to what society would have you believe," she explains, "success on a dating app does not lead to lifting your mood and self-worth. It is probably the other way around. If you have healthy self-esteem, you are more likely to make good decisions while swiping on the app, rather than ones based on your emotional state."

Ammanda Major, who's the clinical quality director for the relationship counselling charity Relate, says that feeling rejected — which can happen at speed on lots of dating apps purely based on how they function — causes lots of people to act and feel more and more desperate to make the apps work as well as they think they should. And desperation is not exactly a turn-on. "So it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy," Major explains.

Champion-Samuel warns against the point where you start experiencing an "inward critical dialogue." If you're finding yourself thinking things like "I'm not attractive enough," "I'll never find love," or "If it's working for others and not me, there must be something wrong with me," then it might be time to quit the apps while you work on feeling better about yourself.

Otherwise, you're liable to end up in "a downward spiral of low mood and feelings of worthlessness," as Champion-Samuel puts it. "In that kind of vulnerable state, such people are more likely to fall prey to unscrupulous characters on the next dating app they try."

You might be thinking about the apps too much 

As Paul Brunson, Tinder's global relationship expert, puts it: "Dating apps give us the chance to meet new people, but they don't promise a fairy tale. If we can shift our mindset from pressure to potential, we can see dating as an opportunity for fun and growth."

The apps are simply a tool to be used at your discretion. Maybe that tool works for you, or maybe it doesn't. Either way, you don't have to use them to find love in 2025.

Instead, you could strike up a conversation with someone at a bar or ask a friend to set you up with one of their pals. If you're shy about approaching someone in public, you could even reach out to a crush on social media. You could try IRL events for singles like speed dating, which are rising in popularity again and are often specifically designed to help you break the ice. 

How to manage your dating app expectations

Aside from diversifying your dating, it's possible to keep using apps with a healthier mindset. 

It's important not to get tied up in knots over the opinions of others, Brunson points out. He explains, "It's important not to let rejection define you. The key is to stay true to yourself and not tie your value to someone else's preferences."

SEE ALSO: Queer dating app Taimi just launched two new features for making IRL connections

Don't stress to find perfection, he says. "When you approach it with the mindset of 'this is a journey, not a sprint,' it's a lot more enjoyable," he adds. "Remember, dating apps give you access to a world of possibility — it's about staying open to the experience, not just the end result. Sometimes, the best connections come when we stop forcing them and just let things unfold."

Roberts, who's a Counselling Directory member, suggests trying not to take your app chats "too seriously" until you've actually met IRL. "If someone does ghost or unmatch you," she adds, "remember [the differences between] fact and fiction. The fact is you have been ghosted, the fiction is any reason you come up with." 

She also recommends accepting that we are all simply "a bunch of strangers online hoping that someone is going to like us." 

Major has similar words of wisdom, saying: "Another way to look at it is [by thinking,] 'These people don't know me, so how can they reject me?' I think it's about hanging on to the bit that is real, because so much of this isn't real."

What is real is that there are countless other great and fun ways to meet people. What is a fact is that forcing yourself to date in a way that doesn't suit you messes with your chances of finding love in the first place. 

Bullying yourself over not being able to find a relationship on an app is like trying to make yourself feel bad for disliking left-handed scissors. Sweetheart, you might simply be right-handed. 

SAVE $50: As of July 31, the M1 MacBook Air (8GB RAM, 256GB storage) is on sale for $599 at Walmart. This is $50 off its usual list price of $649.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air M1 $599 at Walmart
$649 Save $50 Get Deal

Whether you're shopping for a new laptop for work, everyday use, or the upcoming school year, Walmart's offering an excellent discount on the M1 MacBook Air (8GB RAM, 256GB storage) that you don't want to miss. Right now you can score this laptop for just $599.

This is $50 off its usual list price of $649. This M1 MacBook Air (8GB RAM, 256GB) deal covers multiple colors as well, so you can choose between the silver model, gold, or space gray.

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks in 2025: Air or Pro?

The M1 is probably the most award-winning laptop of all time. It debuted Apple's M-series silicon chip, and was a top laptop pick for years. Sure, there are newer models. But this MacBook is still a beast.

Fitted with the M1 chip, 8GB RAM, and 256GB of storage, the M1 MacBook Air is a great fit for adults or students looking for a laptop to help them out with day-to-day activities. It also boasts up to 18 hours of battery life to get you through the day, a sleek 13.3-inch Retina display, and its slim design makes it incredibly easy to pack up and take on the go for the rest of your summer adventures or into the new school year.

Who knows how much longer this deal will stick around, so don't miss out on the M1 MacBook Air (8GB RAM, 256GB storage) for $599 at Walmart.

If you're looking for a newer model instead, the 2025 MacBook Air is also on sale right now for under $800.

Would I want to check out the new Tesla Diner in Hollywood and write about it, my Mashable colleague asked me last week. Well, let's just say, I'm much more willing to help a fellow journalist than Elon Musk. I said yes.

I initially planned to check out the establishment the first Saturday following its July 21 opening, but I'm glad I waited. Social media images of block-long crowds and raucous scenes of anti-Elon protests — featuring effigies of the contentious electric car CEO — convinced me to hold off that day. I'm glad I didn’t visit on Sunday either, since that’s when a piece of patio furniture fell on a patron’s head. Could my family and I check out the hype and get out unscathed?

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. The scene

Tuesday seemed like a sensible enough option for a visit that would let me avoid the weekend’s crowds (and mayhem). At about 2:15 that afternoon, a line still wrapped around the retro-futuristic diner — brought to life by Tesla lead designer Franz von Holzhausen — and dozens loitered around the restaurant’s adjoining 80 EV charging stations.

The crowd enduring the 45-minute wait appeared to consist mostly of curious tourists and families with kids — no DOGE or MAGA paraphernalia spotted. Tesla owners utilizing the chargers got to jump the line, leading to some quiet resentment about the sweaty patrons. 

While the sun beat down on waiting guests, there were some distractions, including free cups of cold water from the staff and the diner’s now-infamous jumbo screens that, at that time, showed silent clips of the 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon Wacky Races and an episode of the original Star Trek where a possessed Captain Kirk nearly assaults a woman (disturbing choice, to say the least). Tesla owners using the chargers can access the screens’ audio through their sound systems, and movies are screened nightly. Desert landscaping and dining tables dot the front, side, and back of the diner, the latter of which were utilized by seniors and crawled over by children, contributing to a lively, though not chaotic, scene — at least during my Tuesday visit.

The diner's charging stations/drive-in theater. Credit: Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP The ordering

My party of three was eventually waved into the restaurant and quickly greeted by a friendly hostess who explained the touch-screen ordering system. It immediately became clear why we had waited so long; there are only two ordering screens. Meanwhile, various tables sat empty. (Maybe the ubiquitous lines outside the restaurant are simply a marketing gimmick?) The menu is limited and offers typical diner fare — burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheeses, and tuna melts. 

The restaurant’s interior was covered in slick silver chrome, a few dozen tables, a large counter with comfy-looking chairs, and a busy kitchen behind it. Inside the diner, there were nearly as many black-clad Tesla Diner employees as paying customers.

Our receipt didn’t come with an order number, ostensibly because we didn’t order beverages (the usual sodas and coffee were available). This led to some confusion as to how to receive our food (most people retrieve their items from the counter when their number is called). Using our receipt, an employee made sure our tuna melt, grilled cheese, chicken sandwich, and fries were delivered. Most of the staff, save for some of the harried workers managing the crowd outside, were friendly and outgoing.

The food

Good! My tuna melt came with dill and pickles, which I know is not for everyone, but I loved it. The perfectly toasted bread, melty American cheese, and white tuna reminded me of a meal from beloved East Coast institution Friendly’s (IYKYK). L.A. chef Eric Greenspan was behind the food of Tesla Diner, which is simple but done well. The ranch dip, paired with delicious fries, was also flavored with dill and received accolades from my husband. (The whole menu is posted on the Tesla website.)

One downside is the portion sizes. All three of our sandwiches were small and came with nothing, though they're priced like a diner meal that's sizable and comes with a side. Without any beverages, we still spent nearly $50 on lunch for two adults and a kid.

Our food also didn't arrive in Cybertruck boxes, though we saw some other tables with them. No big loss since we're not fans of the CTs, but others may be disappointed if they miss out.

The Tesla Optimus robot at L.A.'s Tesla Diner. Credit: Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images The experience

The first floor of the diner was clean, considering the number of people cycling through it. The interior design was pretty unimpressive, though; other than the aforementioned chrome, there was little to look at on the first floor, save for the line of people outside. At night, with all the dining room's lights set against the darkness, it may look more impressive.

It’s only when you climb the stairs to the second floor that things get interesting. Three Optimus robots encased in glass flank the twisty stairs, which lead you to the entrance of the second floor’s 360-degree open-air dining deck. A counter staffed by humans sells Tesla merch, with an empty popcorn machine nearby — we were hoping for an encounter with the diner’s famous popcorn-serving robot, but were informed by a staff member it had the day off. Musk has very ambitious plans for these bots, and he's on record saying he expects “thousands” of them working in his factories by the end of the year, with millions more to come by the end of the decade, per Investopedia. If they're not up for serving popcorn, well, I have my doubts.

The dining deck’s views of the Hollywood hills, various high-rises, nearby apartment buildings (with their frustrated residents), and the movie screens were truly impressive. The first floor is utilitarian, while the second floor is an experience.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Should you go?

Well, first off, that depends on how you feel about Tesla and, more specifically, its leader. If you embrace the politically inclined Musk, or can put your feelings about him aside, it’s not a bad place for lunch or a quick bite, especially if you’re with kids. There’s even more incentive to go if you need to charge your Tesla, since owners are treated like VIPs and hop the line. The food is tasty, though limited and expensive considering the portions. 

The location, off Santa Monica Boulevard, aka Route 66, is just ok. Traffic is loud and incessant, with a constant thrum of buses and motorcycles. There is little parking if you’re not in a Tesla; it seemed some people took rideshare or hoofed it from the tourist enclave on Hollywood Boulevard. One could take the bus, as well, though the man behind all this spectacle would prefer you drive one of his cars.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

TL;DR: AdGuard Family Plan is your ad blocker, privacy protector, and parental filter all in one — get lifetime access for $15.97 (reg. $169.99).

If you’re tired of ads slowing you down, invading your privacy, or popping up where your kids shouldn’t be clicking, it might be time to simplify your digital life with AdGuard Family Plan. For just $15.97 (reg. $169.99) using code FAMPLAN, you can get lifetime access for up to nine devices — with no subscriptions and no interruptions.

AdGuard isn’t just another browser extension. It’s a full-featured ad blocker, privacy tool, and parental filter rolled into one easy-peasy app. It removes banners, pop-ups, and video ads across apps and browsers, while also shielding your data from trackers and preventing access to phishing and malware-laced websites.

Got kids? AdGuard’s built-in parental controls let you block adult content and other sketchy corners of the web — without having to constantly look over their shoulders.

Whether you’re using Android, iOS, or a desktop, AdGuard works across platforms, providing your whole family with a smoother and safer online experience.

And since it’s a lifetime license, this is a one-and-done kind of upgrade. Install it once, and enjoy cleaner, faster, safer browsing for years to come. No subscriptions. No ads. Just peace of mind.

Get lifetime access to AdGuard’s Family Plan for just $15.97 (reg. $169.99) for a limited time with code FAMPLAN at checkout.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02 Get Deal

Ever fear you're losing yourself in a relationship? Or maybe that you're less living together — and more stuck together? This fear of intimacy manifests into a physical horror in Together, the latest film from real-life married couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco. 

Among the pair's previous collaborations was The Rental, an underseen thriller co-written and directed by Franco, which followed two couples (Brie included) on a weekend getaway gone very wrong. While Together puts both husband and wife in front of the camera for a new nightmare written and helmed by Michael Shanks in his feature debut, the films have slow-burn scares in common. 

With The Rental, the fear came from the creeping certainty that someone was watching the unsuspecting couples as they frolicked and fought in the rented vacation house. With Together, the terror gets under your skin early — thanks to a creepy opening sequence involving two poor doomed dogs, which gives the audience a hint of what's to befall the central duo before they've even come onscreen.

The resulting body horror and its psychological underpinnings had critics out of Together's Sundance premiere giddy, earning the thriller a 100-percent Rotten Tomatoes rating ahead of its theatrical release. But can Together live up to the festival hype? 

Together is a skin-crawling tale of a relationship on the rocks.  Credit: Neon

Shanks introduces Tim (Franco) and Millie (Brie) in a moment of transition. The long-term couple is unmarried, but making a big move from New York City to upstate, where Millie has an exciting new job as a teacher at a good school. So they're throwing a going-away party, at which struggling musician Tim feels less like a partner and more like a parasite.

Upstate, where the woods are lush and the folks are nosy, could be a fresh start. But while Millie has a job and new friends, Tim feels aimless and trapped. And that's before a fateful hike changes his flesh so that it inexplicably conjoins with Millie's at any opportunity. First, their shins stick together as if glued after they fall asleep side by side. Later, a kiss will feel like a bite as their lips blend. Eventually, an attempt to reconnect through sex gets viciously sticky, turning violent. Before long, power tools will come into play to keep them separated.

Basically, while Millie and Tim debate whether they want to figure out how to become better partners or break up, their skin is desperate to pull them together. Figuring out why this is happening becomes a quest for the couple, but answers aren't the point.

Ghoulish voyeurism plays into Together.  Credit: Neon

Body horror is a subgenre that thrives on our repulsion and our gnarly desire to not look away. On this front, Shanks delivers. As teased in the eerie ad campaign, the flesh of Tim and Millie will collide and meld in ways uniquely heinous. It's a grisly thrill to witness. But because of the cast, there's a meta level of gawking as well. 

Because Franco and Brie are married in real life, their onscreen kisses, collisions, and fights all bristle with the possibility of blurred lines. What here is purely performance, and what in this toxic partnership is them pulling from their real-life relationship? The answer is, of course, none of our business. But both Franco and Brie are too savvy not to realize that this nosiness of imagination is part of the film's inherent allure. 

Onscreen they have undeniable chemistry. But as Tim and Millie fight, the ferocity is all the more rattling because we know they're portrayed by a real-life couple. It gooses the stakes crudely. It suggests the film has an intimacy that edges into illicit intrusion, whether or not that's illusion. And that's a useful tool, as Together is otherwise a good, but not great, horror movie. 

Together can't compare to what the past year has offered in terms of horror.  Credit: NEON

To the credit of Shanks, what he has scripted is a compelling tale of co-dependency with a mix of the occult and body horror. Together is a wickedly entertaining movie. But watching it in the wake of The Substance, Sinners, Bring Her Back, and 28 Years Later, it's not a winner, but an also-ran. 

Props to Together's special effects team, who created the nightmarish realism that has Brie's fingers snaking up under the skin of Franco's forearm. But this feels tame after Coralie Fargeat's Academy Award–nominated The Substance transformed Hollywood sex symbols Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley into a monstrosity in a ballgown. The twisted tale of what Tim and Millie would do for love is satisfyingly gnarly. But it pales in comparison to the blood-drenched frenzy of Ryan Coogler's vampire lovers in Sinners. And while Together is slow-burn creepy with its icky reveals and putrid possession sequences, it can't shake us up like the Philippou Brothers' demonic psycho-biddy thriller, Bring Her Back, or Danny Boyle's epic zombie horror, 28 Years Later.

Perhaps it seems unfair to compare Shanks' indie directorial debut to the works of more established and heralded filmmakers. But because of all the Sundance buzz, even as I watched Together's supremely gruesome climax, I was a bit bereft, hungering for something more.

While The Substance awed us last fall, 2025 has been a banner year for horror. So between January, when Together was impressing Sundance critics, and its release now, audiences have been wowed by visions of horror that defy genre expectations by working in musical numbers, turning Paddington's adopted mom into a monster, and delivering a coming-of-age story exploding with ghouls imagined and all too real.

In the end, even with my appreciation for The Rental, Brie and Franco's freaky follow-up just didn't hit as hard as I'd hoped. Still, Together is a twisted ride that's sure to give you goosebumps. 

Together opens in theaters on Aug. 1.

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows — plus a full training bundle — for a one-time payment of just $49.99.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to stop renting Microsoft Office and actually own it, this is it. For just $49.99, you’ll get the full Microsoft Office Professional 2021 suite for Windows — plus a free training guide to help you unlock everything it can do.

The suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, Teams, and OneNote. These are the go-to apps for everything from writing reports and crunching spreadsheets to managing emails and creating polished presentations. And since it’s a lifetime license, you’ll never worry about subscription fees, renewals, or losing access mid-project.

But what makes this deal especially useful is the included training guide. With over 25 hours of expert-led lessons, it walks you through everything from basic document formatting to advanced Excel formulas like VLOOKUP and conditional formatting. So whether you’re totally new to Office or just want to sharpen and expand your skills, you’ll find tools to grow your confidence and your workflow.

Need to build a database in Access? Done. Want to finally stop Googling “how to make a PowerPoint look good”? You can. Prefer learning at your own pace? The training’s available 24/7, which means you can access it at midnight in your pajamas if you want to.

You get the software and the skills to use it well, all for less than what you’d pay for a couple of months of Microsoft 365. And it’s yours forever.

Pick up a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows and a free Microsoft Training Guide while it’s on sale for just $49.99 (MSRP: $239.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + FREE Microsoft Training Bundle $49.99
$239.99 Save $190 Get Deal

Yes, Legos are for adults, and yes, buying Legos is a much more fun way to spend money than paying rent on the first of the month.

The plastic brick brand has fans covered this Aug. 1, thanks to a huge drop of new sets. If you like Mario Kart, One Piece, Star Wars, Nike, flowers, video games, vintage cars, architecture, and/or Halloween, there's a set for you among the 25 or so that just became available.

SEE ALSO: 'Andor' Season 2 review: The best Star Wars show goes out with a brilliant bang

I spent my time combing through them all, along with some other recent releases, to pick out the best of the best. Here you'll find affordable options and larger investments. Just under half the list is under $100 for any Lego fans looking to save a little bit of money (real Lego fans know under $100 is a downright bargain).

Below, find the 14 best new Lego sets as of Aug. 1:

Lego Jack-O'-Lantern Pickup Truck The farmer figurine nails the balance of fear and excitement known by every Halloween fan. Credit: Lego

The correct day to start celebrating Halloween season is Sept. 1, but as someone who absolutely loves Halloween, I will allow Aug. 1. This quaint Jack-O'-Lantern set (with a pumpkin you can open!) nails the vibe for adorable Halloween bookshelf decor for under $20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Jack-O'-Lantern Pickup Truck $14.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego Arcade Machine The perfect desk accessory. Credit: Lego

What is the point of being a gamer if not collecting adorable accessories through which to channel your passion? I guess actually playing games, but when your eyes need a break from your screen, building this mini arcade machine could do. The 468-piece set opens up to a mini gaming room for the included minifigure.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Arcade Machine $39.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego Halloween Wreath Credit: Lego

Between the bats, spiders, pumpkins, and ghosts, the only Halloween heavy hitter missing on this wreath is a skeleton (though it does feature bones). While this wouldn't be the best outdoor option, Lego's Halloween Wreath comes with a string for easy hanging in your home, making it a great option for getting in the spooky spirit.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Halloween Wreath $39.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego 'Mario Kart' Piranha Plant Power-Up Pursuit Switch 2 owners aren't the only ones who get to enjoy new Mario Kart content. Credit: Lego

Don't quite have the funds to get your hands on the new Mario Kart game just yet? This set requires no Switch 2 to enjoy, featuring Koopa Troopa, Toadette, the Tanooki Kart and Cat Cruiser, and of course, a piranha plant you can attach to either kart.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Mario Kart Piranha Plant Power-Up Pursuit $49.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees Look at the serenity of these tiny Lego trees! Credit: Lego

Lego Botanicals fans: we did it. We finally got a set of bonsai trees that don't have any flowers or leaves actually made up of tiny pink frogs. (No shade to the frog fans, it's just a little unnerving for some of us!).

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees $64.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego Botanicals Hibiscus A perfect addition for a Lego Botanical garden. Credit: Lego

If there's a Lego Botanicals flower set that isn't gorgeous, I've yet to come across it, and the Hibiscus set is certainly no exception. The 660-piece life-size flower set comes with posable petals in a pretty lilac shade, making it an excellent accent piece.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Hibiscus $69.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego One Piece Battle at Arlong Park Credit: Lego

The Arlong Park arc of One Piece is what some fans consider the real hook — no small feat considering the original anime is over 1,000 episodes long (and still ongoing). Luffy's rubber powers get a fun feature in the arm-lengthening pieces, and a tap to the top of the pagoda causes it to explode in a nod to the show's unforgettable fight scenes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego 'One Piece' Battle at Arlong Park $79.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego Nike Dunk x Lego Who knew a Lego sneaker would look this good? Credit: Lego

There's a Lego collab for everyone, including Nike and basketball fans. This 1,180 set comes with a couple of tricks up its sleeve (or down its shoe?), in the form of a storage compartment in the sneaker (where you can drop the minifig or extra shoe lace colors to swap later) and the ability to spin the basketball. That's a slam dunk of a fun set.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Nike Dunk x Lego $99.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego Star Wars Wicket the Ewok What's more stunning decor, the Botanicals Hibiscus or Wicket the Ewok? Credit: Lego

Ewoks are the most adorable creature in the Star Wars universe, argue with the wall. While I think Lego could've made real magic with a life size Ewok set, this 1,010 piece that stands around nine inches tall is pretty adorable, too. And true to canon, he comes equipped with a spear and a little treat.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego 'Star Wars' Wicket the Ewok $129.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego Marvel Spider-Man vs. Oscorp Display some of Spider-Man's most iconic heroes and villains in your living room. Credit: Lego

This Spider-Man set packs in the heavy hitters from the beloved series: Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, and Venom — just to name a few of the minifigures found among the 808 pieces that make up this set. The city model features Miles Morales' apartment, the Oscorp building, and Venom's apartment, giving you plenty of opportunities for staging the perfect Spider-Man scene.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Marvel Spider-Man vs. Oscorp $139.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego Icons Shelby Cobra 427 S/C From afar, this set almost doesn't look like Legos. Credit: Lego

Early buyers of the Shelby Cobra 427 S/C set are impressed: the attention to detail paid to the design makes the car look great from afar and up close. The working steering wheel is a nice touch, alongside Caroll Shelly's signature on the glovebox.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Shelby Cobra 427 S/C $159.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego Star Wars AT-ST Walker A room isn't complete without a good statement piece. Credit: Lego

If you missed out on the Lego AT-AT set before it was discontinued (and fair — it was $849.99), this AT-ST set is much more reasonably priced at $199.99, and it doesn't require quite as much shelf space, making it overall a much more practical option. And it's still just as iconic to the Star Wars universe.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars AT-ST Walker $199.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego Architecture Neuschwanstein Castle From the Alps to your living room. Credit: Lego

Lego's architecture line depicts some of the most famous structures from around the globe, from Notre Dame in Paris to the Himeji Castle in Japan. For this latest release, Lego brings us to the impressive Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. It requires you build through 3,455 pieces, but it looks like the view is well worth it.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Architecture Neuschwanstein Castle $279.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego One Piece The Baratie Floating Restaurant Display this set on a repurposed trunk and you've got yourself a vibe. Credit: Lego

That's right — we have two iconic One Piece scenes on our list. With 3,402 pieces for building this set, you'll create the floating restaurant with detailed rooms where you can place 10 included characters and wanted posters.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego 'One Piece' The Baratie Floating Restaurant $329.99 at Amazon
Shop Now

TL;DR: Need serious cloud storage without the monthly fees? Internxt is offering 20TB of lifetime cloud storage for $389.97 (reg. $4,900), but only through August 3.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription (20TB) $389.97
$4,900 Save $4,510.03 Get Deal

If you’ve ever tried to back up your entire digital life — photos, videos, work archives, old tax documents — you’ve probably run into the same issue I did: most cloud services either cap you at a few terabytes or make you pay a subscription indefinitely. That’s why this Internxt 20TB lifetime cloud storage plan caught my eye.

Right now, you can grab a lifetime subscription for $389.97 (reg. $4,900) for only two more days. That breaks down to less than a year’s worth of fees from many mainstream providers, and after that, it’s all yours.

So what do you actually get? 20TB of secure, end-to-end encrypted storage that works across desktop, mobile, and browser. Internxt is privacy-focused and fully GDPR-compliant. Files are encrypted both in transit and at rest, and you hold the encryption keys, not the provider. That means even Internxt can’t peek at your data.

Functionally, it works like other major cloud services: you can store and sync files, share links, and access everything across your devices. There’s also a dedicated backup app, so you can automate full system backups without having to manage files manually.

There are some things to keep in mind: Internxt has a slightly more stripped-down interface than Dropbox or Google Drive, and upload speeds may vary depending on your connection and encryption load. But if you’re looking for long-term digital storage that emphasizes security and privacy, this is a strong alternative, especially at this price.

You probably don’t need 20TB today, but that’s the point. For creators, families, and anyone building a growing archive of digital life, it’s space you won’t have to worry about running out of, or paying monthly for.

You have until August 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT to grab this Internxt 20TB cloud storage lifetime plan for $389.97 (reg. $4,900). Act now before supplies sell out for good.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: You can pick up a high-quality, refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air (2017) for just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping. It's ideal for a travel laptop or a backup.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Air (1.8GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03 Get Deal

Ever wish you had a backup MacBook just lying around — you know, for travel days, coffee shop work, or when your main one’s acting up? At just $199.97, this refurbished MacBook Air makes that wish an attainable reality.

Whether you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly laptop for school, a lightweight travel companion, or just a backup machine you won’t be afraid to toss in your bag, this refurbished Apple MacBook Air (1.8GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) checks every box. Even in 2025, it still holds its own when it comes to web browsing, working in Google Docs, streaming, emailing, and light creative tasks.

The 13.3-inch display features a crisp 1440×900 resolution, making your spreadsheets and Netflix sessions look clean and colorful. With 12-hour battery life, it’s a reliable all-day performer — great for commuters, college students, or anyone who prefers to spend the day untethered from an outlet. And thanks to WiFi and Bluetooth, connectivity is no big deal.

It may not be the flashiest MacBook on the shelf, but at just $200, it doesn’t have to be. This Grade A/B refurbished model arrives in good condition (with only light cosmetic wear, if any), giving you a premium Apple experience without the premium Apple price tag.

It’s just a solid Apple machine that gets the job done.

Pick up this refurbished Apple MacBook Air while it’s just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping, but only while stock is available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $249 at Amazon (Prime member discount). Not a member? You can still score this drone for under $300.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 4K Drone $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50 Get Deal

DJI is one of the biggest names in drones, with a strong reputation for creating incredible aerial shots. The DJI product range is the top choice of TikTokers, YouTubers, and filmmakers. That being said, we were surprised to see the DJI Mini 4K drone so near the top of the charts of best-sellers over Prime Day. We knew these drones were popular, but surely not as popular as AirPods?

Then the real reason hit us like an out-of-control drone.

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at helping the U.S. drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. The measures don't actually order a full ban on Chinese-made drones (yet), but talk of a ban on DJI drones has been doing the rounds for a while now. That uncertainty is clearly causing an uptick in sales.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

The good news for anyone hoping to buy before a potential ban is that you can still find the DJI Mini 4K drone on Amazon. In fact, it's on sale for $249 at Amazon for Prime members. It's being shipped by Amazon but sold by AeroTech Hubs. We don't generally recommend third-party sellers, but AeroTech Hubs has an excellent track record and times are tough right now. With stock running low, we'll take what we can get.

The DJI Mini 4K is full of helpful features for beginners and advanced users alike. It has one-tap takeoff options and a return to home function. But perhaps most importantly for content creators is the three-axis gimbal and 4K quality, as well as advanced wind resistance and extended battery life. It's a step up from the DJI Neo Mini 4K that we think creators will appreciate.

Prime members can get the DJI Mini 4K drone for under $250 at Amazon. Everyone else can still score this drone for under $300.

The Daily Show took a day off from the Trump/Epstein scandal on Thursday to talk about Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad, which has received backlash for a slogan that some are arguing echoes language used in the eugenics era.

The criticism the ad has received has prompted a backlash from right wing online commentators and the White House itself, with communications director Steven Cheung describing it as "cancel culture run amok."

In the monologue above, Daily Show host Desi Lydic mocks the various pundits responding to the story, from creepy uses of the word "sensual" to Megyn Kelly defending Sweeney after previously making fun of her.

"This is such bullshit. Blonde women have had constant representation, okay?" concludes Lydic. "It's not that they want to see more white women, it's that they want to see none of anyone else."

Apple's iOS 18.6 update, which was released earlier this week, fixed a critical vulnerability that is being exploited by hackers in the wild.

Bleeping Computer reports that the bug, tracked under the name CVE-2025-6558, allowed for attackers to target Google Chrome users by crafting malicious HTML pages, potentially allowing them to run arbitrary code on the victim's computer.

The bug has been added to America's Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)'s vulnerability catalog, which listed it as being actively exploited. That makes it far more dangerous than bugs that have only been found to work in theory, which is why you should update your devices and software as soon as possible.

The bug primarily affects Chrome — Google fixed the vulnerability on July 15 with an update (Chrome version 138.0.7204.157), and you should update your Chrome browser right now if you haven't done so before. Google didn't release all the information about the vulnerability, saying that it's waiting until the majority of users have updated their browsers.

SEE ALSO: Google Chrome adds online store reviews to help you know if a retailer is legit

The same bug also affects Apple software, which is why Apple published a fix and bundled it with the iOS 18.6 release. According to the company, the bug can be used by malicious hackers to craft a web page that may unexpectedly crash Safari.

The same bug also affects iPads, so if you have one, make sure to update to iPadOS 18.6.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for July 31, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Working the rules

• Green: Regionally specific

• Blue: Honored athletes

• Purple: Expansion

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Fake a foul

• Green: Indiana college teams

• Blue: Miami Heat players with retired numbers

• Purple: Future WNBA home cities

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #312 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Fake a foul - ACT, DIVE, EMBELLISH, FLOP

• Indiana college teams - BUTLER, INDIANA, NOTRE DAME, PURDUE

• Miami Heat players with retired numbers - BOSH, MOURNING, O'NEAL, WADE

• Future WNBA home cities - CLEVELAND, DETROIT, PHILADELPHIA, TORONTO

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.